Abstract: Organic esters such as propylene glycol diacetate are prepared in a single organic reaction phase from the corresponding halocarbon having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, e.g., 1,2-dicholorpropane and the alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of a carboxylic acid. The inorganic salt formed thereby is not soluble in the organic phase. The reaction rate and selectivity are surprisingly good when the reaction contains little or no water.

Abstract: The oxychlorination process for producing ethylene dichloride is carried out by reacting ethylene with hydrogen chloride and oxygen in an oxychlorination reactor. Thereby, ethyl chloride and perhaps vinyl chloride are produced as by-products. The effluent from the reactor is at least fractionated into an ethylene dichloride-rich fraction (I) and an ethyl chloride-rich fraction (II) so that fraction (I) contains less than 50 percent of the total weight of ethyl chloride produced in step (a) and the sum of the weight of ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride in fraction (II) is less than 30 percent of the weight of ethyl chloride in fraction (II). The ethyl chloride-rich fraction (II) is subjected to a cracking reaction in the presence or absence of an inert diluent wherein ethyl chloride is converted into ethylene and hydrogen chloride in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Process for the production of 2,4,6-trimethyl pyridine wherein acetone or an acetone derivative is reacted under pressure with ammonia in the presence of a metallic catalyst to form mixture of products with a high preparation of 2,4,6-trimethyl pyridine and recovering the trimethyl pyridine.

Abstract: Distillation of the heavy waste stream from the manufacture of phenol via the cumene process provides an overhead stream containing phenol, acetophenone and 2-phenyl propionaldehyde. Extraction of the overhead stream with aqueous caustic removes the phenol and subsequent distillation of the remaining two components in the presence of a catalytic amount of caustic provides a substantially pure acetophenone distillate.

Abstract: Poly(allyl)poly(alkenylphenols) are prepared by the transcarbonation of poly(alkenylphenols).

Abstract: Small amounts of acetylene in anhydrous hydrogen chloride can be reduced by heating the gas to a temperature within the range of about 300.degree. C to 500.degree. C in the presence of oxygen, said oxygen being in molar excess to that of the acetylene present. The process converts up to 99+% of the acetylene to vinyl chloride, carbon monoxide, other oxidation and chlorinated products with minimal production of chlorine which is an undesirable by-product.